European energy conglomerate E.ON has partnered with Danish intermunicipal waste company ARC to launch a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at the CopenHill waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen.

The deal signals that E.ON is applying for prequalification in the Danish Energy Agency’s CCS tender.

The aim of ‘CopenCapture’ is to remove and store 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually while generating electricity and heat for the local community. The success of the project hinges on receiving funding through Denmark’s CCS support scheme.

Part of the emitted CO₂ at CopenHill originates from organic materials such as contaminated paper and cardboard. This CO₂ is classified as biogenic, and capturing it will result in so-called negative emissions – CO₂ from a natural carbon cycle that is permanently removed from the atmosphere. The negative emissions can be sold as climate credits – specifically high-quality Carbon Removal Credits (CRCs). These credits will be traded on the voluntary CO2 credit market, where companies can purchase CO₂ reductions either as compensation or as a contribution.

Says Marten Bunnemann, CEO of E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions, “Electrification can reduce many types of CO₂ emissions. However, we do not yet have the technologies to eliminate the need for environmentally responsible treatment of residual waste that cannot be reused or recycled. Utilising residual waste to generate local heat and electricity for communities and businesses is the best available solution. However, waste-to-energy (WtE) still faces a challenge: CO₂ emissions from the process. This is why CO₂ capture in waste-to-energy is a crucial climate solution that we, as a company, are committed to contributing to.”

He adds, “The CopenCapture partnership presents a unique opportunity to establish an international benchmark project, demonstrating how we can tackle one of the most challenging and complex climate issues.”